April 22,2015

Press Contact:

Aaron Fobes, Julia Lawless (202) 224-4515

TPA – A Look at What Top Editorial Boards Across America are Saying

Today the Senate Finance Committee will take up the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015), bicameral legislation to renew Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to help bring home high standard international trade agreements that will boost American exports and benefit American workers, farmers, ranchers, and job creators.

Editorial boards across the country recognize the importance of this bill. Here’s a look at what they’re saying:

The Wall Street Journal:   

By the Editors

“…the Hatch-Wyden compromise ensures theone thing you won’t see in these agreements is a back-room secret. With the world’s economies hitting stiff headwinds, more free trade is the one big lever available to produce a lift for consumers, job-seekers and entrepreneurs.”


The Washington Examiner:

By the Editors                         

"The new legislative incarnation of TPA does more to protect U.S. sovereignty and congressional prerogatives than versions that were previously in force. It provides for unprecedented congressional oversight of the negotiating process and it bars agreements from making any changes to U.S. law without further congressional action.”

The Washington Post:

By the Editors

“President Obama’s chances of successfully negotiating a new trade deal between the United States and 11 Pacific Rim nations have improved dramatically with the announcement of a bipartisan compromise bill that would enable him to submit the proposed pact, known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), to Congress for a straight up-or-down vote.”

Los Angeles Times:

By the Editors

“The fast-track bill proposed last week lays the groundwork not for waving such deals through Congress heedlessly but for negotiating and evaluating them. Congress should pass it...”

The Seattle Times:

By The Editors

“…Congress should grant President Obama “fast-track” authority to negotiate trade agreements known as trade-promotion authority. Congress should swiftly approve a bill introduced last week to do just that.…”

Baltimore Sun:

By the Editors 

“…U.S. presidents have generally been granted such "fast track" or "trade promotion" authority to make it easier to finalize international agreements…The fewer barriers to trade, the better chance for the invisible hand of the market to produce better products at lower cost, a boon to consumers and to the economy. America needs innovation, not protectionism.”

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